INCUMBENT
Masir Kujat (BN-PRS )
Last 05 May, 2013 Election Result:
1. Masir Kujat (BN-PRS ): 12,168 votes
2. Nicholas Mujah Anson (PR-PKR): 5,618 votes
3. Donald Lawan (IND): 3,867 votes
4. Wilfred Stephen (SWP): 476 votes
Majority: 6,550 votes
Sri Aman (aman means peace in Malay) is formerly called Simanggang. It was so renamed after a historic peace agreement was signed in 1974 between the state government and the outlawed North Kalimantan Army. The significant pact resulted in hundreds of armed terrorists laying down their weapons and returning to society. Known throughout the decades as a backwater district, Sri Aman is now well on its way towards progress like the other major towns in Sarawak. A project which the people in the peace town have been eagerly looking forward to is the proposed RM200m general hospital. The construction of this important medical facility is underway, much to the relief of Sri Aman’s population as many of the residents are rural dwellers who come to the town for their medical needs.
The parliamentary constituency of Sri Aman comprises the state seats of Balai Ringin (N.30), Bukit Begunan (N.31) and Simanggang (N.32) which are represented by Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Datuk Mong Dagang and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis. Sri Aman Member of Parliament, Datuk Masir Kujat had warned that Sri Aman might face isolation if it was not connected to Betong.
In 2016 Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was then the Minister of Housing, said one of the mega projects to help develop Sri Aman would be the construction of the Sadong Bridge to connect the district to Samarahan. According to Masir, connecting Sri Aman to Betong through the Pan Borneo Highway is part of the master plan to ensure that the former will not be left out from the State’s major development.
“A bridge across Batang Lupar is urgently needed so that the travelling distance from Sri Aman to Betong can be shortened. “At the moment, it takes at least an hour and a half to travel from Sri Aman to Betong.
“With the proposed bridge, the traveling distance can be shortened to probably just half an hour. “The whole idea is to link the two areas so that Sri Aman will not be left isolated,” said Masir, adding that Sri Aman would also be connected to the coastal road. With better connectivitiy and other development plans, Masir has high hopes that within the next five years, Sri Aman will be a thriving town just like the other major towns in the state. To be funded by both the state and federal government, the Batang Lupar Bridge will open up opportunities for investors and also an avenue for the local community to participate in the development of the area.
In terms of agriculture development, Johari said various agriculture infrastructures would be developed alongside the Integrated Agriculture Development Project (IADP) from Banting to Lingga. “It will bring various economic benefits to the rural farmers and communities in the coastal areas.
“At the same time it will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture development projects,” said Johari. Johari also mentioned that a town square for Sri Aman is being planned and is expected to be located next to Hotel Seri Simanggang. The town square will accommodate the wet and dry markets as well as the bus and taxi terminals along with several shop lots to be built. In 2015, the then Assistant Minister of Housing and Rural Development, Datuk Francis Harden said that although Sri Aman was isolated from the main trunk road from Kuching to Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, the town itself was growing with more and more new shops being added throughout the years. Describing the town as vibrant, Francis said this was due to the people’s purchasing power which has greatly improved due to the better prices of rubber, palm oil and rice.
